Halloween through the years: A look back to inspire last-minute panicked students

Halloween 2025 is right around the corner. For any uni student this means having your costume ready for that house party. Not all of us are organised and have our costumes prepped since September though. For those who are entering the panic zone, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s take a look back in time to some quirky costume ideas. From trick-or-treating nights with secondary school friends, to dressing up with sixth form mates, there is a costume in here for everyone. These aren’t just your typical, boring costume ideas. Dressing last minute doesn’t have to include a skeleton, ghost or witch. It’s time to think deeper; make them fun and memorable. Everyone loves a crafty idea.

2022: The Wicked Witch of the West

2022 was all about embracing the darker side of fantasy with the iconic “Wicked Witch of the West”. With emerald (and slightly stained) green face paint, a sharp black hat, and a cape that nearly tripped me up many times throughout the night, this costume was very fitting to the season. The bright green paint may not have been the best idea when I turned up to school with a stained green face the next day. Maybe opt for eye shadow instead. 

It was a perfect nod to the classic and staple film “The Wizard of Oz”. I expect to see many versions of this outfit this year due to the sequel of “Wicked” releasing in cinemas next month. 

2023: Men in Black

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Always a cool choice. This Men in Black costume consisted of matching black blazers and mini skirts, dark shades, customised lanyards (DIY is my best friend at Halloween) and just the right amount of confidence to bring the attitude to life. Although this costume is not conventionally “scary”, it doesn’t need to be. 

Halloween’s dress code doesn’t have to involve capes, blood, eye contacts or masks, it can be a night to dress up as your favourite film characters, or even singers. Men in Black is a fave film of mine, so this had to be shown. Plus, who doesn’t love a simple yet effective look? 

2024: Cruella de Vil

By 2024, the theme of powerful style and film icons continued. This costume idea came spontaneously, after finding an extremely unique yet beautiful polka dot corset whilst thrift shopping and knowing it had to come home with me. This one was a little too much for a girls night, so why not bring it to life at Halloween. 

Bold, eccentric, and unapologetically fashionable, this fit is a fave.

The rest of the accessories were easily obtained through Amazon’s trusty next day delivery. Cruella’s signature half-black, half-white hair (complete with white hairspray as I already am equipped with the darkness of her hair), faux fur, long pearls as my necklace (thank you charity shops once again), bright red gloves (probably fished out from my iconic dress-up box from my childhood) and fierce attitude to really get into her character. The costume was show-stoppingly perfect. 

2025: Snow White, the princess incoming

As this year’s Halloween approaches, the greatness of the outfits continue. This year, Snow White is on the horizon. After years of fierce and fabulous characters, this year’s costume celebrates beauty, independence, confidence and nostalgia, all things that I dream of in my fairy tale. Dressing up as a princess is a chance to embrace my inner childhood dreams. Dreams do clearly come true.

The accessories are quintessentially princess: A lace up blue corset, yellow mini skirt, white gloves and tights, pops of red to match her colour-scheme and finally (of course) her iconic crown to tie in with the theme of royalty and fairy tales.